Here you will find an ever growing font of information on contemplative practices incorporating sound and hearing. In addition to descriptions of specific practices, you can also read our periodic articles, essays and ruminations on music and sound.
devotional chanting
Contemplative practices that incorporate sound call us to awareness of our sense of hearing, physical sensations of vibration, and breath. The devotional chanting traditions of Hinduism (kirtan) & Sufism (qawwali) are powerful and accessible practices for finding your center – the silence between the notes. Nationally known artists such as Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, and Wah! are giving kirtan wider exposure and as a result, many local chanting communities are popping up, mostly in urban yoga studios including our own sruti which has played at Baltimore venues: quantum yoga, charm city yoga, and soon, breathe books. What is it about chant that brings us into stillness? Western scientists are studying the possibility that it’s as simple as slowing down our breathing to the optimal rate of 6 breaths per minute. Regardless of the reasons, the pervasiveness of chanting practices in contemplative traditions might be enough to entice you to experience them for yourself. check out the calendar for kirtan events.
musical improvisation
In addition to the contemplative chanting practices, there are a curious group of academics exploring the creative practices of musical composition and improvisation. If you are interested in musical improvisation, inspiration, and consciousness, we invite you to visit Ed Sarath’s website where he describes his efforts to introduce the study of these aspects of contemplation into academia.
music & cognition
The field of music cognition is busting at the seems with new research. Until we find time to fill this section in, here’s a link to wikipedia’s entry on music cognition…
harmonium
A hand-operated version of the curious (and curious sounding) instrument, the harmonium, has been adopted by the Sikhs, Hindus, and Sufis as a backdrop to the chanting traditions of kirtan, bhajan, and qawwali. It’s related to the family of “free reed” instruments of which the accordion is also a member. Since the harmonium bellows are pumped with one hand, there is only one hand free to play and so the harmonium tends to act like a drone, which, while limited musically, adds quite a bit to the fullness of sound when chanting. In the coming months we’ll be fleshing out this area of our site with information for budding harmonium players.
